Disclaimer – I do not own Glee

Hello again dear readers, I am so tired right now that I might actually be asleep, but hey, here's the new chapter anyway, hope you enjoy…

Chapter 26 – Stolen Songs

Sectionals had arrived and a fresh new wave of drama had arrived along with it.

The atmosphere in the Choir Room was fairly relaxed. There even seemed to be less tension between Finn, Matt and Quinn. Tina was sipping on a very strong coffee rather than grossing her teammates out by drinking pig's blood and Santana had yet to make any kind of derogatory comment to anyone. Then Rachel burst into the Choir Room with a furious expression on her features.

"Fellow Glee-Clubbers," she called out to gain their attention. "We have a problem."

"Oh crap, are you preggers too?" Santana asked.

"Congratulations," Brittany smiled between Artie and Rachel.

"I am not pregnant," Rachel clarified. "The New Directions are to perform last at Sectionals."

"So?" Puck shrugged. "The other week you said performing last was good because we'd be the freshest in the judges' minds."

"Normally performing last would be a good thing," Rachel nodded. "However, the two teams we are competing against have stolen our set-list."

"What?" Artie, Quinn and Finn asked.

"Oh hell to the no," Mercedes said fiercely.

"That's not fair," Brittany complained.

"Are you sure?" Kurt asked.

"Coach Sylvester leaked our set-list," Rachel informed them. "She was bragging about it in the teacher's lounge."

"You heard her thoughts?" Mike questioned.

"Didn't need to," Rachel replied. "She was bragging to Mr. Schuester and now they're having a big argument and Miss Pillsbury's trying to break it up. But guys, this is a nightmare. The bus will be here in approximately fifteen minutes to take us to Sectionals and now we have nothing to perform."

"Can't we just stick with the songs we have?" Finn asked.

"Are you a moron?" Tina retorted. "We're performing last. It'll look like we stole the songs from the other teams."

"But if we performed the songs better would it really matter?" Finn asked.

"Even if we performed better we'd look like cheating song-stealing liars," Santana pointed out. "We need some new songs and we need them fast."

"Mercedes, Finn, is there another song you guys could duet on?" Rachel asked.

"We could quickly throw something together if we had to, but it won't be as good," Mercedes said. "And me and Finn don't exactly have the best chemistry on stage. Without sufficient rehearsal time I don't think we can pull it off."

"She's right," Finn agreed. "I can't sing or perform with Mercedes the way I do with you," he told Rachel. "I can't sing or perform with anybody the way I can with you. We should sing the duet, you and me. For the team." If I get her to sing with me she'll be in to me again, I know it.

"The team agreed that you and Mercedes would perform a duet," Rachel stated.

"But our duet song's been stolen," Mercedes sighed. "Finn and I don't have anything else. Maybe you and Finn should take the duet," she suggested tentatively. "Your voices do go well together."

Rachel looked around at her teammates helplessly, most of them thinking that she and Finn were their best chance at a duet. Then Tina stepped in to rescue her.

"Mercedes and Santana sing well together," Tina pointed out. "Amazing in fact. Two girls doing a duet, I bet the judges don't see that very often."

"I totally know the perfect song for us," Santana grinned.

"Ok, all in favour of Mercedes and Santana performing a duet, raise your hand," Rachel said and everybody raised their hands, though Finn did so reluctantly.

"Kurt should do a solo," Puck declared.

"Hell yeah," Tina agreed.

"Definitely," Quinn smiled and Artie and Mercedes nodded enthusiastically.

"But Mr. Schue said no to Kurt doing a solo," Mike said.

"Well Mr. Schue can suck my dick," Puck shrugged.

He most certainly can not, Kurt thought.

"All in favour of Kurt singing a solo?" Matt asked raising his hand and everybody followed suit.

"What are you going to sing, Kurt?" Brittany asked with interest.

"I don't know, maybe something by Justin Timberlake," Kurt answered uncertainly. "I do a pretty good cover of 'Cry me a River'."

"Absolutely not," Rachel interjected reading his thoughts. "You're singing 'Defying Gravity'. That's the song you really want to sing. It doesn't matter that it's traditionally sung by a female vocalist. You're Kurt Hummel and that is your song and tonight will be your moment to show the audience, the judges and Mr. Schuester why you deserve to be singing in the spotlight."

"Ok, well, a duet and a solo isn't going to win us the competition," Artie pointed out. "We need a third number, a group number."

"We could close with 'Somebody to Love'," Quinn suggested. "It's a real crowd pleaser."

"I vote for 'True Colours'," Matt spoke up. "The song and performance is simple… understated… beautiful."

"With Queen T singing lead," Puck added. "Sounds like a good set-list to me."

"All in favour of 'True Colours' with Tina on lead vocals?" Artie asked raising his hand.

"Then it's decided," Rachel breathed a sigh of relief. "Kurt will start with his solo, Mercedes and Santana will do their duet and then we close with 'True Colours'. Now, who's ready for Sectionals?"

"Bring it," Puck smirked. "We got this."

XXX

As the New Directions filed onto the bus and headed to Sectionals, Santana and Mercedes made use of the time to rehearse their duet while Mike, Brittany, Matt and Rachel sat together at the back and planned some simple choreography to perform during the 'True Colours' number.

"If we're lucky we could have a practice in the changing room before we perform," Rachel said.

"Don't worry," Matt told her. "You have a natural ability for movement."

"Me and Brittany practice choreography together all the time," Mike said. "We make good dance partners."

"Yeah, I know what Mike's going to do and he knows what I'm going to do and it just works," Brittany claimed. "We're so hot and talented we could probably dance with one another blind-folded."

"And if you're unsure about the dance steps you can just read Matt's thoughts right?" Mike asked.

"Not really," Rachel answered. "Matt's kind of a closed book." She stared deep into the boy's eyes, trying to fish out a thought, but he simply presented her with a smile, never for a second giving his thoughts away. "Seriously, who are you, what's going on in there?" Rachel asked tapping at Matt's head playfully.

"I'm just another Football player," Matt replied and Rachel rolled her eyes before looking down the bus and smiling at Artie who was using the bus journey to do his Geography homework.

Sitting a row in front of Artie was Kurt and Puck. The jock was helping Kurt prepare for his upcoming solo by kissing him heatedly. Across the other side, Tina was watching the two boyfriends make-out and capturing some detailed footage on her phone.

"Kurt, Puck, cool it off," Mr. Schue called to them sternly and if Tina's looks could kill then the Glee Coach would be dead.

XXX

The bus got caught in traffic for a while so by the time they arrived at the competition they only had ten minutes to spare before they were due on stage. The teenagers rushed to their designated changing room and fumbled around haphazardly as they changed out of their casual clothes and into their competition costumes.

"Um, guys, I could use some help," Finn called out as he got his red tie tangled. "Hang on; I think I've got it."

"Dude, stop, you're gonna strangle yourself," Mike intervened and loosened Finn's tie before knotting it correctly.

"Want me to help you get your pants on?" Puck asked Kurt with an eyebrow quirked suggestively.

"I'll manage," Kurt replied. "The last thing I need is to perform on stage with an erection courtesy of Noah Puckerman."

"How about an erection inspired by your boy, Artie?" said boy asked as he jokingly wiggled his bum and hips in front of Kurt.

"Dude, don't make me punch you," Puck warned.

"Aww look, Puck's jealous," Mike teased placing a hand over his heart. "That's adorable."

"Fuck you, Chang," Puck scoffed at him.

"Ok boys," Rachel called out from the other side of the door. "I suggest you cover up what you don't want seen." Rachel stepped inside the boy's changing area with one hand shielding her eyes. "Are you all decent?" she asked.

"Everybody is covered," Kurt assured her.

"Kurt you look perfect," Rachel approved. "Tuck your shirt in, Noah," she ordered. "Straighten up, Finn; you cannot slouch like that on the stage. Mike, what are you doing? You're still in sneakers. Get your shoes on," she urged him frantically. "Matt, could you sort your collar out please?" she asked before fussing over Artie's hair until she deemed him presentable. "Ok, everybody ready?"

"Guys, come on, move your ass!" Santana yelled from somewhere outside the room.

"Hurry up, we're on!" Tina hollered.

"If you guys aren't on stage in the next ten seconds, I will cut you!" Mercedes threatened.

"Come on, let's go," Rachel snatched hold of Artie's hand and dragged him along behind her as she ran towards the stage. "Break a leg, Kurt," she called over her shoulder. "You'll do great."

"You got this, man," Matt told Kurt. He patted him on the back before following the others towards the stage.

"Have fun, babe," Puck smiled giving him a kiss for luck.

"Ok, ok, I can do this," Kurt said to himself.

The rest of his teammates had headed to the wings of the stage while Kurt had positioned himself at the doors to the auditorium. As soon as his music started, he would step through the doors and make his way through the audience before reaching the stage.

"I can do this," he repeated determinedly.

XXX

Watching from the wings, Rachel beamed with pride as Kurt had their audience fall in love with him before he had even reached the chorus.

"He's so good," Quinn whispered, one hand resting on her stomach, the other resting on Rachel's shoulder.

"Damn, our boy's a star," Mercedes declared, her head resting on Tina's shoulder and her arms wrapped around the girl's waist.

Kurt's performance was making Puck feel a little emotional. His mouth was open as he gazed at Kurt in wonder, his eyes welling with emotion and a lump in his throat.

"You're such a wimp," Santana told him handing Puck a tissue after having discreetly dried her own eyes.

"The judges love him," Rachel gushed to Quinn excitedly.

"Mr. Schue doesn't seem impressed," Quinn noted.

Peering out at the audience, Rachel spotted Mr. Schue. The man looked absolutely mortified. Rolling her eyes in disappointment, Rachel opted to ignore Mr. Schue and focus on the wonderful performance being delivered by her teammate. As much as she would have loved to be in the spotlight herself (especially singing 'Defying Gravity') it was very much a privilege to be watching Kurt Hummel captivate the audience, own the stage and make the song his own.

He took a bow as he finished his song, the audience on their feet to applaud him.

"Crap, how do we follow that?" Santana asked.

"You'll be great," Brittany assured her. The blonde pressed a quick kiss to her best friend's cheek and Rachel heard Santana's panicked thoughts about what they might be thinking having seen the interaction.

XXX

"Babe, that was freaking awesome," Puck congratulated Kurt as he stepped into Puck's arms after joining them in the wings while Santana and Mercedes brought the house down with their duet.

"Nice job with that High F, yo," Artie praised.

"Thanks," Kurt smiled, thrilled and shy at the same time.

"Hey, don't go hiding now," Puck said stroking Kurt's back when the boy turned invisible for a few seconds. "You good?"

"I'm good," Kurt confirmed. He squeezed Puck's hands in his own and pressed their mouths together, turning them both invisible for a few quick seconds.

"They're about to finish," Rachel observed. "Is everybody ready?"

XXX

The entire New Directions ensemble filled the stage for the final performance of 'True Colours'. They all began seated on stools, Rachel, Brittany, Mike and Matt leaving their seats empty as they danced elegantly about the stage.

As planned, Tina took lead vocals with the others harmonising beautifully to back her up. Mercedes also used her weather skills to create some beautiful rainbow effects.

They finished the song, applause rang out and just as the curtain was going down, the noise became too much for Rachel and she slapped her hands over her ears, desperately trying to block out the thoughts of the filled auditorium. She collapsed, Matt catching her and sweeping her into his arms and carrying her off stage.

"Should we get a doctor?" Mercedes asked.

"Lord Tubbington always feels better if I scratch his tummy," Brittany offered.

"I'll get Mr. Schue," Mike hurried off in search of their teacher.

Reaching the girls' changing room, Matt carefully placed Rachel on the sofa, Quinn helping to place a cushion under her head.

"Do you think she'll be ok?" Quinn asked brushing the hair out of her friend's face.

"Rach, sweetie, can you hear me?" Artie asked concernedly as he knelt by her side and took her hand in his. The girl whimpered in response. "Rachel?"

"She can hear you," Tina stated. "She can hear us all. That's the problem."

"The telepathy is destroying her," Matt said in a quiet tone.

"I thought she was doing ok, learning to block it out," Puck chipped out.

"She can block it out some of the time," Quinn said. "But it really drains her energy. Mostly she's just putting on a brave face but this whole situation is affecting her more than she's letting on."

"She's burning up," Artie announced.

"I can help with that," Mercedes moved closer and rested her hand on Rachel's forehead and concentrated on sending a wave of coolness from herself to Rachel.

"I think that's helping," Artie said noting how his girlfriend's body seemed to relax somewhat.

Mike returned with Mr. Schue in toe just as Rachel opened her eyes and made a mumbled plea for water. Kurt fetched a glass for her and handed it to Artie so he could help her drink.

"Rachel, are you ok?" Mr. Schue asked.

"Fine," Rachel responded.

"What happened out there?" he wanted to know.

"Just… nerves," Rachel lied.

"You need to rest," Mr. Schue insisted.

"Me and Artie can stay with her," Quinn offered. "The rest of you should get back out there. They'll be announcing the winner soon."

"Are you sure you're ok?" Mr. Schue asked Rachel. "There's probably a nurse or doctor on site."

"I'll be fine," Rachel assured them all. "Go."

"Are you really ok?" Quinn asked as soon as the others had left.

"I just want to get home and go to bed," Rachel sighed closing her eyes again and letting out a few more pained whimpers. Artie and Quinn exchanged helpless looks of concern. Rachel winced and tossed her head from side to side rapidly for a few seconds before calming down. "Good news," she smiled breathlessly. "We're gonna win."

XXX

As Rachel had predicted, the New Directions were indeed victorious and had won their first trophy.

XXX

Stepping off the bus, Kurt checked that Rachel was feeling better. She offered a reassuring smile but Kurt suspected that it was simply the 'brave face' Quinn had referred to earlier.

"Try and get plenty of sleep tonight," Kurt fussed over her. "And Saturday morning you're coming for another Spa treatment with me, 'Cedes and T. Both of you are," he looked to Quinn too.

"That would be lovely," Rachel replied. "We'll see you in the morning."

Kurt gave both the girls a hug and Puck dropped a kiss to both of their foreheads before winding his arm around Kurt's shoulders.

"Damn, I hate having to say goodbye to you," Puck groaned. "I just wanna be around you all the time."

"So, come stay at my place tonight," Kurt suggested.

"Are you crazy?" Puck asked. "Your old man will hack me into tiny pieces and hide my body parts in the walls."

"Who says he has to see you?" Kurt asked mischievously and he took Puck's hand and concentrated on what he wanted. He smiled in satisfaction as he successfully turned his boyfriend invisible but stayed visible himself. "See," Kurt said smugly. "My dad doesn't have to know."

"I'm all yours," an invisible Puck whispered.

To Be Continued…

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